The Territory Labor Government is continuing its investment to deliver affordable, clean, reliable and stable energy for Territorians with the continuation of the Home and Business Battery Scheme (HBBS).

Batteries enable households and businesses to maximise use of electricity generated from rooftop solar PV systems while contributing to grid stability and reducing power system costs.

The Territory Labor Government is supporting programs that will deliver the Territory’s target of 50% renewables by 2030.

The first round of grants has enabled more Territorians to make the switch to renewable technology while also delivering stable, reliable and affordable power for families and Territory businesses.

More than 780 Territorian households and businesses have applied for the scheme, with over 550 applications approved worth $3.3 million in grant funding, and delivering about 3.8 megawatt hours of electricity storage capacity.

Spread out right across the Territory, the total value of approved works is $11.1 million.

Given the strong take up with the scheme the Territory Labor Government invested a further $2.8 million in the scheme in Budget 2021.

To continue to make the scheme accessible to all Territorians, the HBBS $6000 grant is being adapted to a new model that will ensure the investment in batteries further assists in our grid stability.

The changes include:

• From 1 July 2021, homes and businesses will be able to purchase a battery to fit their needs with a grant of $450 per kilowatt hour of battery system capacity, up to a maximum grant of $6000.
• From 2 August 2021, the grant will be available only for battery systems that are on an approved list of battery systems that have been assessed as virtual power plant capable. Virtual power plant capability is the ability for the operation of individual home and business battery system to be coordinated via a network.

The changes to the Home and Business Battery Scheme will improve:

• the equity of the scheme by better aligning the subsidy amount with the cost of the chosen battery system;
• the efficiency of the scheme by providing customers with greater choice to install a battery that meets their specific requirements; and
• the effectiveness of the scheme to contribute to system security by enabling the batteries to provide more services in the future to support power system security and reliability.

Installing a battery means that rather than exporting electricity into the grid, the household or business is able to store the electricity for future use, a major cost saving measure.

Along with extending the Home and Business Battery scheme, the Territory Labor Government is well underway with the procurement for a $30 million, 35MW Battery Energy Storage System for the Darwin to Katherine power system, and $6.6 million towards the Renewable Remote Power Program, beginning with a pilot program to replace the diesel power supply at Wurrumiyanga with renewable technology.

Quotes from Minister for Renewables and Energy, Eva Lawler:

“We want Territorians to have access to the latest and best technology as we build a stronger and more resilient power system for Territory households and businesses.

“Extending the Home and Business Battery scheme is one way this government is working towards delivering our 50% renewables target by 2030 and creating more jobs for Territorians.

“The changes to the scheme mean we are giving Territorians more choice to the battery they want while making sure we are supporting our grid, and further stabilising it.

“Local businesses and local families are benefiting from this scheme – whether it’s receiving the work now to install the PV and Battery system, or saving on their electricity bill in the future – this is a win-win for the Territory.”